From the WWE Rumor Mill: Baron Corbin set for huge WWE push
What’s the story?
Baron Corbin could be in line for a huge push over the coming months in WWE after it recently emerged that Vince McMahon is a huge fan of the Lone Wolf.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Corbin is the man Mr. McMahon sees as being a future major player for WWE.
In case you didn’t know…
Corbin, real name Tom Pestock, is much talked about as a cross-over athlete in WWE and even used the fact that he didn't have to wrestle on the independent scene before WWE to progress his heel character in the past.
Pestock a two-time Amateur Kansas-Missouri Golden Gloves regional champion and even has a win at the 2008 National Tournament of Champions to his name.
The Lone Wolf also had a pretty admirable college and professional football career before coming to WWE, playing offensive guard for Northwest Missouri State University in the NCAA Division II, and being named honourable mention all-MIAAA in 2007 and first team in 2008.
The SmackDown star went on to have two stints at both the Indianapolis Colts and the Arizona Cardinals twice and, during his maiden year on the main roster of WWE, was also named Revolver Magazine's Most Metal Athlete in 2016.
After winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on his main roster debut in 2016, at WrestleMania 32, the Lone Wolf looked to make 2017 his year.
He did so by winning the illustrious Money in the Bank briefcase, guaranteeing him a shot at WWE Championship, but his cash-in attempt was unsuccessful.
Corbin did, however, go on to win the United States Championship.
The heart of the matter
Well, it seems like the 33-year-old hasn't hit his ceiling in WWE yet. In fact, far from it. Wrestling Inc reports that, as per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Corbin could be due for a big singles push very soon.
When it comes to talents outwith the main event picture in WWE, Mr. McMahon is said to be "highest" on Corbin and sees him as being a "future major player" for the company.
While WWE hasn't really pulled the trigger on Corbin, notably giving him the Money in the Bank briefcase but having him be one of the few men to not come out the other side with the gold.
It should be noted that Corbin ended up getting his hands on the United States Championship and seems to be one of the guys who can instantly be slotted into a title picture or be presented as a monster heel.
WWE even repackaged Corbin last year, giving him a new theme tune, and booked both him and Mojo Rawley strongly at this year's WrestleMania.
Despite neither man having a singles match, both former Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal Winners were two of the last three men in the ring - only being defeated when Matt Hardy had some help from former rival Bray Wyatt.
What’s next?
Corbin is currently scheduled to participate in the 50-man Royal Rumble Match on April 27th at the Greatest Royal Rumble event in Saudi Arabia.
The Lone Wolf is also being advertised in a Triple Threat Match with Shinsuke Nakamura and WWE Champion AJ Styles for the WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view in Pittsburgh on July 15th.
Author’s Take
Personally, I really like Corbin. Even though he's been hot and cold in WWE in terms of being pushed, he always comes across well on-screen and in the ring.
We haven't really seen Corbin as a face yet, aside from when we saw his vulnerabilities on WWE Network show Breaking Ground, but the Lone Wolf can pull off the heel character to perfection.
While being a legitimate monster of destruction in the ring, one of the things that's always impressed me is how well Corbin can sell injuries.
I'd definitely not be opposed to seeing him win the WWE Championship in the near future!